FOR the Hindu community, as also for people of other faiths, religion is all about the moral base on which we conduct ourselves in the temporal world. When Durga succeeded in subduing the sinister Mahjsashur and thereby reasserted the triumph of good over evil, it was much more than a tale that was being told. Since every aspect of religion is a symbolism for life and for the u alui< s beyond life, the observance of Durga Puja is a reminder of what we must do to regain for ourselves the high moral ground we lose constantly owing to our all too human frailties.

It is of particular note that the puja celebrations this year were marked by a degree of peace and normality that is admirable indeed. The unfortunate fact is that in the past, there were reports of the destruction of idols by elements not comfortable with communal harmony in the country. This year, though, such reports have been few and far between, which can surely be taken as a sign of the social maturity and the tolerance we have been developing among ourselves as citizens of Bangladesh. Of greater significance than the peaceful observance of the puja season has clearly been the huge enthusiasm that people everywhere and across religious barriers demonstrated throughout the celebrations. Apart from the members of the Hindu community, Muslims, Christians and others have shared in the happiness and good cheer that have characterised the invocation of the deities in the ten-day period leading up to the homage to Durga. Political leaders, government figures and others made it a point this year to engage themselves in the celebrations, which again has been a powerful indication of the secular structure upon which we constantly try to conduct ourselves.

Our felicitations go out to our Hindu brethren. At the same time, we tell ourselves that in this country, every citizen, no matter what his religious or political affiliations are, matters. As we observe religious occasions — Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, et al -- we reiterate our conviction that ours is a tolerant society. It is a principle we will not allow anyone to trifle with.